Postings by Shadow

Thanks Toto! I usually pay for the extra sedative so they are pretty much out before the anesthesia. I also always insist on an IV so if anything does go wrong we aren't scrambling for a vein. I will also be present for the surgery, not helping just there.

I was guessing that within a couple of weeks, strange odor, vomiting and heat had to be related. I guess at this point I can only assume her reproductive system is screwed as well and needs to come out.

On a side note, Sabi got MORE aggressive after spaying so this could be interesting.

Thanks Kali. She has a home for life no matter what. I just had to draw a line on some of the testing, for cost reasons as well as for her sake. No point in stressing her if there is nothing to be fixed right?

We don't know what the actual issue is, that would be really expensive.
But tests done so far show excessively rapid resting rate, erratic working rate and poor recovery time. Initial ultrasound showed no visible issue but the chambers don't seem to expand and contract properly? Sorry I really didn't get some of the jargon. But the consensus from all three vets originally was 'see how she grows'
I believe the issue is that the heart itself is weak and possibly underdeveloped.

So a few weeks ago Shadow developed a really nasty odor, I thought at first she had managed to roll in something but a bath only removed the odor for a few days. It seemed centered on her neck and shoulders and has since faded. Then last week she started vomiting, all bile, and went off her food for a few days. This was immediately followed by visible signs of her being in heat(bleeding, swelling, etc.) Since she has almost clean really short heats, it's really easy to miss.
Anyway, I have made an appointment at the vets. At this point I'm thinking some type of infection? Could all of this be related? Or is she just a weird dog? Her heart is still weak so I had decided against spaying, but if she is having issues with being in heat, maybe I need to rethink this. I could really use some input or advice.

Charlie, I was hoping you would speak up, you've seen it. And it's very hard to describe, it's like all her parts are going in different directions at different times and different speedsHer crazy swooping thing could really disturb a puppy I think.
I'm more worried about her teaching a puppy to behave like her.

I'm just curious. When Bud is nervous or unsure he goes into what I call 'low and slow' mode, and most dogs I've observed do the same, or parts of the same, thing. They lower head and tail and approach things carefully.
Shadow goes all jerky. Her body language gets all disjointed, ears flick, eyes go into rapid mode scanning back and forth and her legs and head look like they're on puppet strings. Her head goes up but her tail goes down and sweeps and flicks like a cats. It looks really weird and I don't think I've ever seen another dog do this. I'm wondering if this is part of her problem with other dogs, as in are they having difficulty reading her? This isn't excited, bouncing and stuff. It looks strange. The more unsure she is, the worse it gets. I'm just wondering if any of you have seen anything like this before, and is this something a new puppy could potentially learn? Or is that not going to be a problem?

Here is what I know, for what it's worth. Dogs and Coyotes do mingle, I live in an area were it happens a lot. Most Coydogs do not ever make nice pets. They tend to be difficult to train, shy and highly territorial.
I own a dog who runs with her tail dragging and trots with her head up, plays with her food, builds dens, tracks mice under the snow and pounces, runs and hides from strange people, attacks when cornered and hates other dogs. She has spent her whole life in my home and still dislikes ME touching her too much. She is the only dog I have ever seen jump backwards and sideways on a daily basis, she's a born hunter and loves to yodel,yip and howl. In dim light you would swear she's a coyote. In fact she's apparently a GSD, named Shadow.
Your dog probably isn't a Coydog, coloring aside the personalities are usually what give them away and as your dog is apparently friendly and outgoing it's highly unlikely.

Thank you River. We tried treats at the clinic, I even tried cheese and my dogs never get that. She isn't strongly food motivated to start with so it's hit or miss with her. No one touches her on our visits unless she asks for interaction. We just visit.
She will be sedated for her next visit, but I will keep working on this with her.

Shadow limps on occasion, and we have never been able to find a cause. Check the whole leg from the neck down and the whole foot for any heat, swelling or tenderness. You might want to have your vet look at it, but I suspect it will be hard to diagnose.